Their stages and principles

Growth : Growth generally refers to the physical growth i.e,

growth from the fertilized egga at the time of the conception to the fully grown body of the adult it means increase in the size of the various parts of the body. According to hurlock:Growth is change in size, in proportion , disappearance of old features and acquisition of new ones e.g., height, weight etc.

Development: It refers to progressive changes that take place with

time in the behavior of the organism. According to Crow and Crow :Development is concerned with growth as well as those changes in behavior which result from environmental situations.

Difference b/w growth and development: Growth- the term purely refers to the physical changes

like height , weight and size . It refers to quantitative changes. Development refers to the overall changes in shape, form or structure resulting in improved functioning. It refers to qualitative changes than quantitative changes. Growth is a part of the developmental process, it doesnt continue throughout life. It stops when maturity is attained , it involves bodily changes. Development it implies overall changes in an individual ,it continues throughout life and is progressive, it involves changes of an orderly, coherent type tending towards the goal of maturity.

 Growth- the changes produced by growth are of

subjective measurement. Development- it implies improvement in functioning and behavior of an individual. Growth- may or may not bring development e.g. a child may grow fat or not tall but it will not help in functional improvement. Development- it is also possible without growth e.g. a child may not grow taller or fat but can have functional improvement in other aspects.

Principles of Development: Development follows a pattern. Development at each stage is a result of the one which

proceeds it and the one which follows it. Development proceeds from general to specific. Development leads to integration. once a child learn specific or differentiated response she can integrate the specific responses to form a whole. Development is continuous process. Individuals differs in respect to the rate of development.

 Development occurs in different facets at different

rates. Diverse areas of development are interrelated. Development proceeds from heteronomy to autonomy. (Heteronomy means dependence on others while autonomy means self reliance.) Critical periods of development- impact of certain inputs or stimulation is maximal or optimum during certain phases of development rather than in others.

Stages of life span Development: Prenatal period- conception to birth (gestation period). 9

lunar months or 280 days. Infancy- birth to 18 or 24 months. Early childhood- 2-6 yrs /preschool yrs. Children become self sufficient , from family their orientation gets divided with their schoolmates/pear group. Middle childhood- 6-11 yrs elementary school yrs. Adolescence- 12 to 20 yrs also called teenage , rapid physical changes occur during this period. Early adulthood- 20 to 30 yrs it is a time of establishing personal and economic independence , carrier development , selecting a life partner, starting a family and rearing children.

 Middle adulthood- 35-55 yrs it is a time of expending

personal and social involvement and responsibility of assisting the next generation in becoming competent and mature and of reaching and maintaining satisfaction in once carrier. Late adulthood- 55- 70 yrs and till death time of adjustment to decreasing strength and health ,retirement and adjustment to new social roles.